Physical Geography SS6G12, SS6G13 Australia Physical Geography SS6G12, SS6G13

Essential Questions What are the physical features of Australia and where are they located? How has the geography of Australia impacted its population density? How does the factors of location, climate, access to water and natural resources affect where Australians choose to live and work? How do these factors affect trade?

Key Terms Marsupial- an animal that carries its young in a body pouch Coral- a rocklike material made up of the skeletons of tiny sea creatures Geyser – A hot spring that ejects a column of water into the air. Tectonic plate- a large piece of the Earth’s crust

What does the location mean? South of the Equator= seasons opposite of those in the U.S. Far from large landmasses

A Unique Environment Plants & Animals unique to the region. Biologically unique- Marsupials (Almost all mammals are marsupials in Australia) Kiwi & Yellow-eyed Penguin

Why So Unique?? Tectonic Plates: Australia & Oceania are part of the Indo-Australia plate. Once part of large landmass that included Antarctica. Moved NW in Pacific Ocean Wild life slowly changed, - Islands are isolated these living things did not spread to other regions Australia, which sits at the leading edge of the giant Indo-Australian Plate, moves in a northeasterly [right] direction. In so doing it collides with the western edge of the Philippine Plate. This collision pushes up the ocean floor above sea level, creating island chains, island arcs, and a twisted, tumultuous sea floor . The Pacific Plate, moving northwest, subducts under the eastern edge of the Philippine Plate. This area of subduction is a hotbed of volcanic and earthquake activity and part of the infamous "Ring of Fire." You can see a mid-ocean ridge to the south of Australia, the site of sea-floor spreading. New Zealand, to the southeast, exists along this complex tectonic boundary.

Where and Why do people live where they do? Most Australians live along Australia’s East & SouthEast coasts. Why? This plain has most fertile farmland & receives ample rain. Why?

Moist winds from the Pacific Ocean bring rain & mild pleasant climate Also, the presence of the Murray & Darling rivers So where would most cities be located?

Great Dividing Range West of GDR is a rain shadow. People depend on wells for fresh water Outback= desert & grassland

Great Barrier Reef Tourism – The business of providing tours and services for tourists.

World’s Largest Coral Reef Located in the Coral Sea – NE Australia Includes 2600 individual reefs, 900 islands, and an area of 133,000 square miles. Became known to Europe 1770- Captain Cook # 1 destination for tourism, especially scuba divers, some popular areas suffered major damage

Environmental Concerns Runoff Several major cities along NE coast. Large areas of coastal lands have been used for agricultural & pastoral purposes. Sediment & chemical runoff from farming Loss of coastal wetlands which are natural filter Results in 400 of 3000 reefs are within risk zone were water quality has declined Crown-of-Thorns starfish natural predator of corals, dramatic in species caused by water quality

Environmental Concerns continued Global Warming Many corals living at upper edge of temp. tolerance. This can lead to Coral Bleaching Corals release photosynthesizing cells- turn white If water doesn’t cool down w/in a month, coral dies Also brings about more violent tropical storms So who takes care of GBR?

GBR Marine Park Authority Australian Government manages reef: zoning, management plans, permits, education used to conserve GBR 1981 selected as World Heritage Site 2004, GBR Marine Park became largest protected sea area in world. From 4.6% to 33.3%

Review What are the physical features of Australia and where are they located? How has the geography of Australia impacted its population density? How does the factors of location, climate, access to water and natural resources affect where Australians choose to live and work? How do these factors affect trade?